Pages

Monday, January 28, 2019

Venezuela's opposition leader warns of another massive rally as Maduro blames US for protests

"The people who think that we are going to fizzle, I think they are not going to be happy," Juan Guaido said in his first public appearance since challenging Maduro's regime. "There are people here in the streets for a long time."
Guaido declared himself acting president last week amid massive and deadly anti-government protests, claiming Maduro was illegitimately elected for a second term.
The head of Venezuela's National Assembly and the country's self-proclaimed "acting president" Juan Guaido (R) speaks next to his wife Fabiana Rosales (C) and activist Lilian Tintori (L), wife of Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, to a crowd of opposition supporters in Caracas, on January 26, 2019.
Maduro has blamed the chaos on the US, saying Venezuela has fallen "victim of a US conspiracy."
'Maduro! I'm hungry!': CNN's undercover report from Venezuela
He says the US orchestrated a coup to remove him from office, telling CNN Turk he's reached out to President Donald Trump but hasn't received a response because "I think he's overwhelmed with his domestic problem and, I believe, I think he despises us."
"He despises all of America and the Caribbean. I think he despised the world," he told the Turkish network. "This is the reason for the coup. They don't want us to get better. They sabotage us and try to destroy the economic system."
A UN official said Friday that at least 20 people had been killed in protest-related violence last week, while the nongovernmental Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflict on Friday pegged the tally at 29 since Wednesday night. More than 350 demonstrators were detained last week, the UN official said Friday.
CNN could not independently confirm the counts.

International response

In an address to the UN Security Council on Saturday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged leaders to side with Guaido.
"Our nations must stand up for the rule of law and support the leader who the Venezuelan people have affirmed as their legitimate interim president," Pompeo said. "Either you stand with the forces of freedom, or you're in league with Maduro and his mayhem."
Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro said the US orchestrated a coup to remove him from office.
Officials from the UK, Spain, Germany and France gave Maduro an ultimatum Saturday: Call elections within eight days or Guaido will be recognized as president.
Maduro has balked at the demand.
"Nobody gives us an ultimatum," Maduro said. "All of Europe is bowing down to Donald Trump. It's that simple, especially when it comes the Venezuela."
On Thursday, a security alert said non-emergency US employees had 72 hours to leave Venezuela. But Pompeo said the United States doesn't recognize Maduro's power to expel the diplomats, and Guaido called on Venezuela's diplomats to remain in the United States.
Pompeo has warned against testing the US' resolve to protect its citizens. National Security Adviser John Bolton echoed that admonition Sunday, tweeting, "Any violence and intimidation against US diplomatic personnel, Venezuela's democratic leader (Guaido) or the National Assembly itself would represent a grave assault on the rule of law with a significant response."
Maduro says a US-led 'coup' is behind the political upheaval in Venezuela
Maduro told CNN Turk on Sunday all diplomats had left the country, except a small group authorized to stay.
The US embassy in Venezuela issued a security alert informing of its limited ability to provide emergency services to Americans in the country and urging them to "strongly consider departing Venezuela."

The way forward

Both leaders are looking to the military for a way forward.
Guaido told The Washington Post on Sunday that the opposition party was in "behind the scenes" talks with military and civilian officials to force out Maduro.
He has asked for elections, and has tried to assure troops who split from the Maduro administration that they will be protected -- possibly by an amnesty bill created by the National Assembly.
The bill -- which could see a vote Tuesday -- would also pardon civilians, politicians, public officials and military members accused of crimes or unconstitutional acts during Maduro's and former president Hugo Chavez's tenure.
Here's how Venezuela can achieve a peaceful resolution to the crisis
"This is the moment to put yourself on the side of the constitution," Guaido said. "It's not the time to be scared. It's not the time to go backwards, it is not the moment to disrespect the people of Venezuela."
Despite the guarantees, the head of Venezuela's armed forces says he still supports Maduro.
Meantime, Maduro called for unity and said he wants to see the military grow "more loyal to the people, more loyal to the revolution, more loyal to the country and more loyal to the constitution."
On Saturday, Venezuela's military attaché in Washington, Col. José Luis Silva Silva said he stands with Guaido.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

from CNN.com - RSS Channel https://cnn.it/2G4IirV

No comments:

Post a Comment